The base layer should fit close to the skin. It's intended to wick moisture away from the skin and retain body heat so that you remain drier and, consequently, warmer.

Polypropylene and polyester are synthetic fibers that provide moisture transfer and do not absorb water. Natural fibers like silk and wool are also available, but aren't as efficient as synthetics. Many brands offer different weights in their product lines like lightweight, mid-weight, and expedition weight.

The insulation layer, or middle layer, can be any weight and doesn't need to fit as snug as the base layer. Its job is to catch warm air and continue to wick perspiration away from you and to its surface, or to the outermost layer.

Popular fabrics such as wool and fleece retain some insulation properties when wet, but wool is highly absorbent and heavy when wet, and takes a long time to dry. It can also be itchy and irritate sensitive skin.

Different types of wool, like virgin or Merino, are softer and don't have the "itch factor," and tightly woven wool is wind resistant. Fleece dries quicker and doesn't absorb moisture, and it's lighter and less bulky than wool. Bi-Polar fleece contains a built-in, wind-resistant layer.

Down fill is another option for a middle layer and, unlike fleece or wool, is compressible and light so it can be stuffed into a pack when not in use. The down side (no pun intended) is that it loses all insulating ability when wet and some people have allergic reactions to the feathers.

The outside layer, or shell, provides full protection from wind and water and also some insulation.

This portion is usually made from nylon with down fill used in heavy outer jackets like parkas. Remember that down jackets suffer the drawbacks noted earlier.

Laminates or coatings applied to the clothing at the factory create waterproof (or water-resistant) and windproof (or wind-resistant) barriers. Other applications can add a breathable function, too.

Breathability at this layer completes the transfer of water vapor from the previous layers to the outside world. It allows the vapor to escape through pores too small for rain or snow to pass back through.

Slight moisture build-up can result from heavy sweating when wearing waterproof jackets and that's why the breathability factor is desirable. Many higher quality outdoor clothes also feature armpit zips and other venting options built in to aid in evaporation.

By Matthew J. Sroka

For The Sun

While strutting bare through the streets might be some folks' idea of a perfect wardrobe, it's not exactly practical in a damp climate or a litigious society.

But this isn't about fashion. It's about how to benefit from functional clothing when you're away from home and involved in outdoor pursuits.

In the outdoors, your body is your only source of heat. It produces heat internally through chemical reactions and activity — another reason to drink plenty of water and eat properly when outdoors.

And layering your clothes is an attempt to keep your body heat in and not just keep cold air out.

When we exercise, we sweat. The evaporation of that sweat is designed to cool the skin, but if it's absorbed into a garment right next to the skin, the body will continue to chill from that contact after the high activity level has ended.

Layering generally means dealing with three layers designed to adjust your warmth level with your activity level, not just to attain high warmth concentration. Finding the proper balance between the types and numbers of layers and your activity level is the goal. It allows for flexibility in your coverings to match the conditions.

Normally, this means having a thin thermal layer next to your skin, then an insulation layer and then a shell layer to block precipitation and wind.

And if you live in this part of the country, then you're also aware you need to block the rain. A rain jacket is a vital piece of equipment in this moist land, but not the only one you should have if you're active.

Even though the local winter scene was mild and drier than normal, the spring has brought back the rain and cooler temperatures.

If you're heading to the outdoors with plans to bike, hike, snowshoe, ski, run, fish, camp or hunt, then you should know about selecting the correct types and combinations of clothing in order to remain dry and comfortable in the elements — wind, cold, rain and sun.

All of these create conditions that challenge your body's ability to remain cozy when you begin to overheat and sweat.

One fabric to stay away from in the outdoors is cotton. Sure, it will keep you warm and dry if you limit yourself to wearing sweatpants and sweatshirts to the mall or while catching up with Oprah on the sofa.

However, in any other vigorous activity, cotton retains moisture and gets heavier from retention, chilling your skin even in seemingly warm air temperatures. With no insulation properties, cotton garments need to be left home when you meet up with Mother Nature.

And be aware when you're out shopping for outerwear that there are generic alternatives to high-end clothing. Many retailers, like REI, sell their own versions of all three layers at lower costs and some even carry warranties.

Mainly, it's common sense that will get you by and through a day in the outdoors. Being prepared is more than a Boy Scout motto. It can save you plenty of grief when Mother Nature, or worse yet, the TV weatherperson, becomes unpredictable.

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